I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
II Corinthians 1:21,22 ESV
21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,
22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
As we think of our faith, we must remember that it is God who establishes our fatith and gives us this relationship in Christ. He gives us the ability to hope in Christ and He gives us grace to lean upon his promises.
Believers are anointed because the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon us. In addition any believer that is walking with the Lord will be living a life directly influenced by the Holy Spirit. In Him and this anointing, we live and move and have our being.
By definition, a guarantee is something you can trust for a desired outcome. That's just what it is. In our tainted world, we have come to believe that the trustworthiness of a guarantee is the exception, rather than the rule. Not so with God. He is not tainted in the least, and the sinfulness of man has no power over what God desires to accomplish. In addition, the surety for this promise is Jesus Christ Himself and He is Truth.
God Bless You as you consider your position in Christ.
Dennis
Showing posts with label Romans 8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romans 8. Show all posts
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Security: I Cannot Be Separated from the Love of God
Romans 8:35-39 ESV
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In verse 36 Paul gives the clear example of being in very difficult situations and yet knowing that he is more than a conqueror. He must state that by faith, but that faith is built on the firm bedrock of God's love for him. God's love, like God Himself, is perfect. There has never been a mistake. The 'Children of the Heavenly Father' have never been forsaken.
Think on God's love today. If you are one of His, then rejoice that nothing that happens in your life can tear you from His hand of provision and protection.
God Bless You,
Dennis
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In verse 36 Paul gives the clear example of being in very difficult situations and yet knowing that he is more than a conqueror. He must state that by faith, but that faith is built on the firm bedrock of God's love for him. God's love, like God Himself, is perfect. There has never been a mistake. The 'Children of the Heavenly Father' have never been forsaken.
Think on God's love today. If you are one of His, then rejoice that nothing that happens in your life can tear you from His hand of provision and protection.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Security: No Condemning Charges Against Me
I am free from any condemning charges against me.
Romans 8:31-34 ESV
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
It is God who has justified the believer. The single highest authority that ever has or will exist has justified those who believe, so who can question it. To satisfy His own holiness, this justification was accomplished by Jesus Christ' death, burial and resurrection. Jesus Christ is now reigning at the right hand of God the Father and this shows that the work was perfectly accomplished.
So solid is our justification in reality that it cannot be touched. Yet we are in a battle while yet on earth. Satan and people will bring charges against us. They will question our faith. They will point out our failures over and over. They will attempt to discourage us, shame us and put us down. We must be able to recognize these attacks. Take what is told you and hold it up to the truth of God's word. If it doesn't match, throw it out! Remember what our Scripture says, "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?"
Fellow member of the elect, be encouraged in your walk with the Lord. Our salvation is so great. It was accomplished by Him and no man can touch it. Truly a treasure for us now (even as works in progress) and a treasure stored up in Heaven.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Romans 8:31-34 ESV
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
It is God who has justified the believer. The single highest authority that ever has or will exist has justified those who believe, so who can question it. To satisfy His own holiness, this justification was accomplished by Jesus Christ' death, burial and resurrection. Jesus Christ is now reigning at the right hand of God the Father and this shows that the work was perfectly accomplished.
So solid is our justification in reality that it cannot be touched. Yet we are in a battle while yet on earth. Satan and people will bring charges against us. They will question our faith. They will point out our failures over and over. They will attempt to discourage us, shame us and put us down. We must be able to recognize these attacks. Take what is told you and hold it up to the truth of God's word. If it doesn't match, throw it out! Remember what our Scripture says, "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?"
Fellow member of the elect, be encouraged in your walk with the Lord. Our salvation is so great. It was accomplished by Him and no man can touch it. Truly a treasure for us now (even as works in progress) and a treasure stored up in Heaven.
God Bless You,
Dennis
Monday, December 04, 2006
Security: All things work together for good.
Romans 8:28 ESV
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
This is one HUGE promise that can bring courage, faith, peace and joy in almost any situation. When a new believer begins to comprehend this verse, they have no option but to take it by faith. It is too big to reason out in our minds. After growing in our faith, and learning God's word, we gain more confidence in this promise. This confidence is not due to our being able to understand how it works. Rather, our confidence comes because His word has taught us who He is and what He is doing, and all this teaching only made possible by the Holy Spirit.
A short analysis of this verse:
We know - not wishful thinking, but knowing with no reason to doubt.
For those who love God - This is not just any person. They must be saved and have a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Romans 8:5 tells us that this 'love of God' is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. That is only for believers.
all things - Yes it means all things. Everything that comes into your life - blessings, opportunities, trials, sickness, poverty, friends, enemies, kind family, mean family, new life and death, little tiny disappointments, major life-crushing tragedies. Because of God and His love for His children, and the fact that He is Sovereign, we really can trust that He will use each of these things for our good. We will trust Him to define good because He knows us better than we know ourselves.
Another source makes this statement: God's providence rules in such a way as to ensure everything that happens to us is working for our ultimate good.
called for a purpose - God's children are called for a purpose - even more than one. We are called to love and worship God, to serve and obey Him, to glorify Him with our lives here on earth and to worship and glorify Him forever in heaven.
If you are a Christian - read this verse, meditate on it and think about it until you can rest in the security of such a promise. The things that God brings to your life are not just circumstance. These things are hand selected by God and allowed to reach you for a purpose. It is for your good. Rejoice!
God Bless You,
Dennis
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
This is one HUGE promise that can bring courage, faith, peace and joy in almost any situation. When a new believer begins to comprehend this verse, they have no option but to take it by faith. It is too big to reason out in our minds. After growing in our faith, and learning God's word, we gain more confidence in this promise. This confidence is not due to our being able to understand how it works. Rather, our confidence comes because His word has taught us who He is and what He is doing, and all this teaching only made possible by the Holy Spirit.
A short analysis of this verse:
We know - not wishful thinking, but knowing with no reason to doubt.
For those who love God - This is not just any person. They must be saved and have a living relationship with Jesus Christ. Romans 8:5 tells us that this 'love of God' is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. That is only for believers.
all things - Yes it means all things. Everything that comes into your life - blessings, opportunities, trials, sickness, poverty, friends, enemies, kind family, mean family, new life and death, little tiny disappointments, major life-crushing tragedies. Because of God and His love for His children, and the fact that He is Sovereign, we really can trust that He will use each of these things for our good. We will trust Him to define good because He knows us better than we know ourselves.
Another source makes this statement: God's providence rules in such a way as to ensure everything that happens to us is working for our ultimate good.
called for a purpose - God's children are called for a purpose - even more than one. We are called to love and worship God, to serve and obey Him, to glorify Him with our lives here on earth and to worship and glorify Him forever in heaven.
If you are a Christian - read this verse, meditate on it and think about it until you can rest in the security of such a promise. The things that God brings to your life are not just circumstance. These things are hand selected by God and allowed to reach you for a purpose. It is for your good. Rejoice!
God Bless You,
Dennis
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Security: No Condemnation Ever
Romans 8:1,2 ESV
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus [who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit].
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
First let me make a comment about vs. 1. The phrase that is in brackets is not in any of the early manuscripts. Therefore it was probably added as a comment at a later time. However, this is not too alarming, since the same phrase appears at the end of vs. 4.
Verses 8:1-4, along with Chapter 7 show how the law of "sin and death" has been deprived of its power to take believers into bondage. At the same time the holy law of God receives from believers a living obedience motivated by the wonderful work of our Savior.
Christ who knew no sin, was made sin for us, and those who believe in Him are made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor 5:21). This atoning work has changed us from the status of condemned sinner to some who is righteous, like Jesus Christ. In addition, we now stand one with Him. This oneness is a union of lives. Believers, through God's Spirit dwelling in them, are united with Christ just as the head and members of the body share one life.
Much more than we do, we need to meditate on the wonderful work of Christ on our behalf. We were transported by Him, from absolute condemnation to absolutely never being condemned. This is because God's wrath was satisfied (propitiated) at the Cross, and we need to thank God for that very often.
Is there security in these truths? Can you place your life in the hands of the Perfect One who best knows what you need.
God Bless You,
Dennis
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus [who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit].
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
First let me make a comment about vs. 1. The phrase that is in brackets is not in any of the early manuscripts. Therefore it was probably added as a comment at a later time. However, this is not too alarming, since the same phrase appears at the end of vs. 4.
Verses 8:1-4, along with Chapter 7 show how the law of "sin and death" has been deprived of its power to take believers into bondage. At the same time the holy law of God receives from believers a living obedience motivated by the wonderful work of our Savior.
Christ who knew no sin, was made sin for us, and those who believe in Him are made the righteousness of God in Him (II Cor 5:21). This atoning work has changed us from the status of condemned sinner to some who is righteous, like Jesus Christ. In addition, we now stand one with Him. This oneness is a union of lives. Believers, through God's Spirit dwelling in them, are united with Christ just as the head and members of the body share one life.
Much more than we do, we need to meditate on the wonderful work of Christ on our behalf. We were transported by Him, from absolute condemnation to absolutely never being condemned. This is because God's wrath was satisfied (propitiated) at the Cross, and we need to thank God for that very often.
Is there security in these truths? Can you place your life in the hands of the Perfect One who best knows what you need.
God Bless You,
Dennis
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